cane

Gil Scott-heron

The Rural South, as described by Jean Toomer at the turn of the century, was the inspiration for this song about two of its characters. This is about the primary product of that area, the Cane

Take Karintha, take Karintha
Perfect as dusk when the sun goes down
And take Karintha, as perfect as twilight
As a child able to drive both young and old wild
As perfect as dusk when the sun goes down
Said take Karintha and remember, remember every sound
'Cause, often as our flowers bloom, men will try and cut them down
Said take Karintha, as sweet as spring rain
Run from the Cane, run from the Cane

Pray for Becky, and pray for Becky
White woman gave birth to two black sons
Pray for Becky, her one-room shack fell to the ground
The two boys killed a man and had to leave town
Said white woman gave birth to two black sons
Said pray for Becky and remember, remember the days
She looked to us for help, and we all turned away
Said pray for Becky, buried down near the trains
Deep in the Cane, deep in the Cane